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The market just seems like it can’t find the middle

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The market just seems like it can’t find the middle: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

The Stock Market Keeps Going Back and Forth on Interest Rates. How to Play It.

“The market just seems like it can’t find the middle,” Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s in a phone interview.

Essaye says he can make the case that the economy is slowing, or not, based on a wide swath of data that’s available. That’s why every individual release has so much sway on the market’s day-to-day. Stocks were mixed on Tuesday, aside from tech, after Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said the Federal Reserve hasn’t formally taken rate hikes off the table and is prepared to keep rates steady until inflation hits the central bank’s 2% target.

“This is the world we’re in for now, until economic data gives us a clear direction as to where we’re going,” Essaye says. “I think we just sort of have to brace ourselves for this kind of back and forth. I think the net result for investors is that there’s just going to be more elevated volatility.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 28th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Even after the revisions, the data was really mostly in line.

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Even after the revisions, the data was really mostly in line: Sevens Report Editor, Tom Essaye, Quoted in Barron’s

The Market Is in a Trance. Wednesday’s Inflation Data Could Break It.

But Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye told Barron’s in a phone interview that even after the revisions, the data was really mostly in line.

“The markets could be entering an extension of the sweet spot that they were in earlier in the year,” Essaye says. “If you’re looking out, there are definitely some things you want to pay attention to, because some of this data is starting to point in a not-great direction. But it’s not necessarily a reason to sell now.”

“We were in the bullish trance, and now Powell has kind of put us back into it by saying, ‘Well, no, we’re not going to hike rates. Probably going to cut rates once or twice’ or whatever,” Essaye says. “That kind of got us back into it. So it’s going to take a hot data point.”

Also, click here to view the full Barron’s article published on May 14th, 2024. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

It’ll be Very Hard for This Market to RallyIf you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)

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Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Short vs. Long Term Market Outlook (Is Falling Inflation & Slowing Growth Good for Stocks?)
  • EIA Update and Oil Market Analysis

Futures are little changed as market digest Wednesday’s new high amidst more dovish global data.

Japanese GDP (-0.5% vs. (E) -0.4%), Aussie Unemployment (4.1% vs. (E) 3.9%) and Italian HICP (their CPI, 0.9% vs. (E) 1.0% y/y) all pointed towards falling inflation and slowing global growth, which investors welcome (for now).

Today is a busy day full of data and Fed speak.  Broadly speaking, if the data/Fed speak is dovish and Treasury yields drop, it’ll extend the rally.

Notable economic data today includes (in order of importance):  Jobless Claims (E: 219K), Philly Fed (E: 7.8), Industrial Production (E: 0.1%) and Housing Starts (E: 1.435MM).

On the Fed, there are numerous speakers including:  Barr (10:00 a.m. ET), Barkin (10:00 a.m. ET), Harker (10:30 a.m. ET), Mester (12:00 p.m. ET), Bostic (3:50 p.m. ET).  But, unless they all start talking about rate hikes (very unlikely), their commentary shouldn’t move markets.

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Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign?

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Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign? Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is Gasoline Demand Another Economic Warning Sign?
  • Did Earnings Season Change the Market Outlook?

Futures are solidly higher thanks to continued momentum from Thursday’s rally following a quiet night of news.

Economically, UK data was stronger than expected (GDP and Industrial Production beat estimates) but it’s not changing BOE June rate cut assumptions.

Today there is just one notable economic report, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (E: 77.0) and the key parts of that release will be the 1-Yr Inflation Expectations (E: 3.2%) and the 5-Yr. Inflation Expectations (E: 3.0%).  If both of those numbers are higher than expected, it’ll be another negative signal on inflation and don’t be surprised if Treasury yields rise in response to them and stocks give back these early gains.

In addition to that one economic report, we also get numerous Fed speakers today including: Bowman (9:00 a.m. ET), Logan (10:00 a.m. ET), Kashkari (10:00 a.m. ET), Goolsbee (12:45 p.m. ET) and Barr (1:30 p.m. ET).  However, unless one of them explicitly advocates for rate hikes, they shouldn’t move markets.

Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

May MMT Update: Less Bad News Is Not Good

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May MMT Update: Less Bad News Is Not Good: Start a free trial of The Sevens Report.

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • May Market Multiple Table Update: Don’t Confuse Less-Bad News for Actual Good News

Futures are little changed this morning as favorable EU economic data and strong bank earnings from UBS and UniCredit offset escalating geopolitical tensions in Gaza.

Geopolitically, Israeli tank units seized a critical Rafah border crossing with Egypt as ceasefire talks reportedly continue, however the market impact is limited this morning with oil futures slightly lower.

Economically, UK’s Construction PMI topped estimates (53.0 vs. E: 51.1) and EU Retail Sales rose 0.8% vs. (E) 0.7% helping ease worries about fading economic growth in Europe.

Looking into today’s session, focus will be on the Fed’s Kashkari who speaks mid-morning (11:30 a.m. ET). The market is looking for more confirmation of sooner-than-later rate hikes in 2024.

Then this afternoon, there is a 3-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET which will be closely watched by bond traders to see how well the larger than expected Q2 bond issuance will be absorbed by the market. A tailing auction that sends yields higher will be negative for stocks.

Finally, there is just one economic report this afternoon: Consumer Credit ($15.5B) and two earnings reports to watch: DIS ($1.11), LYFT ($0.02).

Join thousands of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Why Have Markets Become Volatile?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Have Markets Become Volatile?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Are the Three Pillars of the Rally Under Attack?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Key Growth and Jobs Data This Week

Futures are slightly higher following more small stimulus steps from Chinese authorities, as investors look ahead to an important week of economic data.

Chinese authorities reduced the stamp tax on stock investment, providing a small economic tailwind and boost to Chinese stock prices.

Economically, the only notable number was the EU Money Supply (M3) and the number was bad as M3 declined –0.4% vs. (E) 0.6%.

Today there are no notable economic reports so markets will focus on the tech sector to see if it can continue to stabilize after last Thursday’s ugly reversal.

Market Multiple Table Chart (July Update)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Market Multiple Table Chart (July Update)
  • Why More Goldilocks Data Sent Stocks Higher Again Tuesday

Futures are little changed ahead of a busy day of earnings and despite more encouraging news on global disinflation.

UK CPI rose less than expected, gaining 0.1% vs. (E) 0.4% m/m and 7.9% vs. (E) 8.2% y/y, providing bullish investors more evidence that inflation is declining globally, although that good news was partially offset by a very slightly higher final look at EU HICP (up 5.5% y/y vs. 5.4%).

Today focus will turn to earnings and the key reports to watch are: TSLA ($ 0.82), NFLX ($2.83) and GS ($3.25), as those results will help set the tone for the start of earnings season (results from companies up to today have been fine, although it’s very, very early).    Other notable earnings include:  ASML ($4.97), USB ($1.13), UAL ($3.99), and IBM ($2.00).

Economically, the only notable number today is Housing Starts (E: 1.48M) but barring a shocking miss, that shouldn’t move the broader markets.

What Pushes Stocks Higher from Here?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • What Pushes Stocks Higher from Here?
  • Weekly Market Preview:  Earnings Take Center Stage
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet:  Growth Data in Focus this Week

Futures are slightly lower following mixed Chinese economic data and a potential further escalation of the Russia/Ukraine war.

Chinese economic data was mixed as GDP and Retail Sales both missed estimates, while Industrial Production beat, and the data will keep markets  wanting more stimulus.

Possibility of further escalation of the Russia/Ukraine war increased after Ukraine claimed responsibility for the destruction of a bridge linking Crimea and Russia.

Today focus will be on the first data point for July, the Empire Manufacturing Index (E: -4.3).  Markets will want to see this number be stronger than expectations and ideally turn positive, furthering the “Golidlocks” market narrative of falling inflation but stable growth.

CPI Preview: Good, Bad, and Ugly

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • CPI Preview – Good, Bad, & Ugly
  • Chart: Is Disinflation Accelerating?

U.S. stock futures are extending this week’s gains ahead of the all-important CPI report this morning following a mostly quiet night of news.

There were no economic reports overnight but the Reserve Bank of New Zealand did notably pause their rate hiking cycle leaving their policy rate unchanged at 5.50% (however this was expected and did not meaningfully move markets).

Looking into today’s session the big catalyst is the CPI report due out before the open. On the headline, CPI is expected to come in at 0.3% m/m and 3.1% y/y while the Core figure is seen rising 0.3% m/m and 5.0% y/y.

From there, focus will turn to Fed speakers with Kashkari speaking shortly after the open (9:45 a.m. ET) and Mester at the close (4:00 p.m. ET).

Finally, there is a 10-Yr Treasury Note auction at 1:00 p.m. ET and the outcome could shed light on the bond market’s outlook for the economy and Fed policy expectations in the wake of the CPI data release, so there is potential this auction moves markets in the early afternoon.

Explaining Current Market Risks to Clients (And Prospects)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Explain Risks in This Market to Clients/Prospects
  • Mannheim Used Vehicle Value Index Takeaways (Chart)

Futures are slightly higher while most international markets rallied overnight thanks to news of more Chinese government support for the property sector and steady EU inflation data.

German CPI met estimates of 0.3% m/m and 6.4% y/y in June, both unchanged from May, while the ZEW Survey was inline with expectations on the headline but Economic Sentiment deteriorated to -14.7 vs. (E) -10.2.

Domestically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index came in at 91.0 vs. (E) 89.8 in June which is helping bolster investor sentiment in the premarket.

There are no additional economic reports today and just one Fed speaker on the calendar: Bullard (9:00 a.m. ET) which will leave investors looking ahead to tomorrow’s critical CPI report.